Analytical paragraphs: Maya Angelou’s poetic voice
I can explore Maya Angelou's poetic voice in well-structured analytical paragraphs.
Analytical paragraphs: Maya Angelou’s poetic voice
I can explore Maya Angelou's poetic voice in well-structured analytical paragraphs.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- We can make comments about Angelou's poetic voice by considering a number of her poems at the same time.
- When considering Angelou's poetic voice in an analytical paragraph, you should include (and explore) quotations.
- When considering Angelou's poetic voice in an analytical paragraph, you could include context to develop your ideas.
- A single paragraph outline is a way of planning a paragraph.
- First and final sentences of a single paragraph outline are written in full; supporting detail is written in note form.
Keywords
Extended metaphor - a detailed comparison which develops one idea over a number of lines, paragraphs or stanzas
Jim Crow laws - laws enforced by American states which separated people based on the colour of their skin (late 19th century to 1965)
Civil rights activist - a person who advocates for social and political equality for those who have been denied equal treatment
Context - in English, historical, social, literary or biographical information which helps us understand a text more fully
Poetic voice - elements in a poem or poems that make it clear it is by a particular person or speaker
Common misconception
Single paragraph outlines take too long to plan. You should just start writing.
Single paragraph outlines give you time to think and prepare. Spending time on these means that you will be able to write your paragraph efficiently knowing that it has a clear focus with well-selected supporting detail.
Equipment
You need access to 'Phenomenal Woman', 'Woman Work', 'Still I Rise', 'On Aging', 'Caged Bird', 'Equality', 'Life Doesn't Frighten Me', and 'On the Pulse of the Morning' (Penguin Random House).
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
orders
repeated line or group of lines in a poem
the attitude of emotion of your voice - written or verbal
non-literal words or phrases to express complex ideas
a comparison which is developed over a number of lines
boldly disobedient
honest, truthful, genuine
direct, frank, clear
commanding, self-assured
a Black female speaker describes her chores and emotions
a defiant speaker demands equal rights
an assertive speaker explains why she is extraordinary
an extended metaphor explores effects of the Jim Crow laws
a speaker lists scary things but says she’s not frightened
forthright speaker explains why she will overcome any adversity
Exit quiz
6 Questions
first sentence of a paragraph stating its main focus
ideas which prove your topic sentence
sums up main ideas in your paragraph
comments on why a writer has written something in a certain way
information about how, why and when the text was written